New system to issue passports

The Department of Immigration and Emigration is to introduce a new system of issuing passports from June 01.

Immigration and Emigration Department’s Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya said the new system will allow applicants to apply for passports online from their home without having to visit the department.

 

Payments for the passports can be made online or via the Bank of Ceylon and applicants will receive passports within 03 days, which will reach their homes via post, he had added.

He said 50 Divisional Secretariats will be assigned to obtain the fingerprints of the applicants.

Meanwhile, the Immigration and Emigration Department’s Controller has also said that passports will be issued to every person that visits the department in Battaramulla from today (18).

Noting that the program to only issue passports for those with online appointments ceased with effect from yesterday (17), he added that those visiting the department without appointments will be provided services according to a token system.